Selected Work

This section shows some of the best articles I have written in the last few years. Most of them are about the Internet sector in China, but they also cover Technology, New Media (view articles) and Venture Capital Investing.

Baidu sued over music downloads

16 September 2005, Published by The Standard

The world’s biggest music companies are suing Baidu, the mainland search engine that captivated Wall Street investors, for copyright infringement in a move that could force the company to shut down its MP3 search engine, a key to the company’s popularity among young Chinese Internet users.

New laws may favour record labels in fight against piracy

Music firms hope Yahoo China ruling will apply to Baidu.

12 February 2008, Published by South China Morning Post

At the end of last year, the world’s major record labels lost their lawsuits against Baidu for copyright infringement by its MP3 search services. They filed legal proceedings again on February 4 and, this time, they are expected to win.

Alibaba targets HK for US$1b public offering; Sarbanes-Oxley a deterrent to Nasdaq listing

18 June 2007, Published by South China Morning Post

Alibaba, the mainland’s leading e-commerce company, has chosen a Hong Kong initial public offering later this year rather than selling shares in New York in a deal that could be worth up to US$1 billion, according to sources.

One country, two online models

5 October 2004, Published by South China Morning Post

Eachnet and Taobao.com are squaring off in a battle of the business models, with each laying claim to the potentially lucrative internet auction market in China.

Under the hammer

27 June 2005, Published by The Standard

Sherman So asks whether eBay’s plans to bring PayPal to China can overcome an ingrained reluctance to part with money before receiving the goods. eBay is struggling in the China market. It is not as easy as they thought.

Shanda plays with fire

05 December 2005, Published by The Standard

A move to offer free participation could spark an Internet games war, writes Sherman So. Has Shanda, which pioneered online games in China, become suicidal, or is there a method to its madness?

Caution the keyword

07 November 2005, Published by The Standard

Online advertisers are increasingly turning to the China market, despite frustrations with leading search engine Baidu, writes Sherman So

From buses to lift lobbies

13 June 2005, Published by The Standard

Advertising firms aim for captive audience. Lift-lobby advertising targets a very specific audience, and it’s easy to sell to advertisers.

Follow Up: Focus Media assesses Target potential

10 January 2006, Published by The Standard

Focus Media, which sells lift-lobby advertising in the mainland, said its proposed US$325 million (HK$2.53 billion) acquisition of smaller rival Target Media will add to earnings this year on increased pricing power and cost savings. The acquisition “will be slightly earnings-accretive this year, and will be very positive next year,” said Focus Media chief financial officer Daniel Wu.

Mainland sees LED advertising boom

02 January 2008, Published by South China Morning Post

The mainland has witnessed a boom in LED-type advertising in the last two years with billboards and roadside panels sprouting everywhere in major cities.

Betting on the big boys

12 September 2005, Published by The Standard

In the mainland’s PC market, corporate clients are easy pickings for Dell. But can it last? Sherman So investigates

Beijing makes the call

23 January 2006, Published by The Standard

Head start for homegrown 3G standard may not assure its dominance of the domestic market, writes Sherman So

Poised for a 3G takeoff

06 March 2006, Published by The Standard

Long-awaited Beijing decree lifts cloud of uncertainty from Shanghai chipmaker, writes Sherman So

Huawei’s generation

18 July 2005, Published by The Standard

The telecoms vendor is in line for home advantage after the strain of taking on big boys abroad with low bids and a winning custom, writes Sherman So

The great TV turn-off

02 January 2006, Published by The Standard

Internet Protocol Television will not succeed in China until Beijing relaxes its control and allows broadcasters to create their own programming with foreign content, writes Sherman So

Sweet as Hony

15 August 2005, Published by The Standard

Foreign rivals may disagree but for Hony Capital, state-owned enterprises are a solid bet, writes Sherman So

New edict leaves venture capitalists in a bind

25 September 2006,Published by South China Morning Post

Mainland rules governing overseas listings have pushed investors to the sidelines amid uncertainty over Beijing’s intentions.

Follow up: New rules hurt venture capital

17 May 2007,Published by South China Morning Post

Venture capital investment in the mainland recorded the first quarterly decline in more than two years, as the government’s new requirement on mergers and acquisitions started to take tolls.

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